After a couple of days, their 8 lbs, 2 oz. miracle was in the comfort of his own home. The infant was a replica of his father who inherited his good looks and warm chestnut colored eyes. Parker tip-toed into the nursery and found their little bundle of joy snuggled comfortably in his daddy's arms.
"I could hold on to him forever," Jarod whispered to Parker. "Did you see that? He squeezed my finger."
"He knows his daddy. Look at his little toes. Aren't they just adorable. Are you happy, sweetheart?"
"Yes. Are you?" He returned the question to her.
"What do you think? It scares me to be this happy." Parker kissed her son's tiny hand. "Hello, my precious. Welcome to our world."
Jarod's eyes twinkled as he stared at his son. "I never thought I'd actually be here. I was searching for my family and all these years you were my family. You were always in my heart."
Parker lightly kissed the mole under his right eye. "Can I have our baby now? You've monopolized him since we brought him home."
"Hey, little one, it's mommy's turn, alright?" Jarod handed their child over and his little body stiffened, then stretched as he was placed in Parker's arms. His face turned a shade of red as he gave out a healthy cry and smacked his lips.
"Okay, my love. Are you hungry?" Parker took Jarod's place in the rocker. She unbuttoned her blouse and held the baby close to her chest. "There you go." Softly he cooed as he took in his mother's milk.
She felt a pair of eyes on her and she gazed at the father of her child. "What?"
"My family," Jarod said in a whisper. "Thank you, for you and for our baby."
"Well, you did help in this creation. Our perfect son. Our perfect world, free from "The Centre", yes you are, little Jarod." She kissed the top of his head. He opened his eyes and squinted at his mommy then continued with his feeding.
"Are you so sure we're free from it all?" Their was an uncertainty in the older Jarod's voice. "It, "The Centre", keeps rising from the depths of hell."
"You're scaring me, sweetheart, you're scaring me." There was a petrified look in her eyes. Parker embraced her baby protectively.
Jarod hugged his family. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I'll never let any harm come to you both." He softly caressed the baby's forehead. "He'll have a life unlike ours."
"Promise?"
"Yes. I promise. He'll have a beautiful life."
"All three of us." Parker added. "Can't make the mistakes of our past ruin our future."
Jarod nuzzled his face into her hair. "You've always taken my breath away. You are a beautiful woman. You are even more beautiful as a mommy."
Parker pulled at his shirt. "I love you," she whispered.
"Enough to marry me?" Jarod kissed her tenderly.
Her sapphire colored eyes glimmered at him. "My life has never and could never be the same after I met you. And I can't picture the rest of my life without you by my side. You've taught me so much. How to live, survive." She looked down at their son, then back at Jarod. "And most of all, how to give love in return."
"I'm guessing your answer's yes?"
"Yes," she replied as she captured his mouth with hers, but pulled away quickly. "Ouch!"
"What's wrong, honey?"
"He's really hungry. He's sucking a little too hard. He won't let go."
"Hey. Hey, son." Jarod lightly taped his son's cheek until he released his mouth away from his mother's breast.
"Okay, okay, sweetie. Still hungry? No need to gobble me up. There's more on the other side." Parker switched sides and again, her baby satisfied his needs.
"So, where were we, sweetheart? Ah, yes. Kiss me."
Their happiness depended on having good relationships with each other, living life to the fullest and having taken a positive attitude on life. Jarod's and Miss Parker's lives were closely intertwined with sorrows with much more than they could have handled. But, their precious someone which was a part of them made their life complete. They've surpassed the terrifying obstacles in their lives. Not even "The Centre" could have destroyed their love.
"THE CENTER SHALL RISE. THE CHOSEN WILL BE FOUND, A BOY NAMED JAROD".
The End